Vows and Venom

"I'll take your deal."

Kagha’s voice still echoed in the chamber, but her eyes never left mine. She stepped closer, blood splattered across her robes, chest rising and falling as if she’d just emerged from a fever dream.

Ruthless. Obsessive. Clinging to a new purpose—Me.

"You’ll have the Grove," I said evenly. "But you’ll call off the eviction. The tieflings stay."

Her nose wrinkled. "..But they don’t belong here. They disrupt the Oak Father’s balance. Parasites on land that aren’t theirs."

"They’ll help us fight. Numbers. Grit. Desperation. I’ll make it work. Trust me."

A pause—then a nod. "If you say so. If it furthers our goals... I’ll trust your judgment."

Her fingers brushed the back of my hand, lingering just long enough to feel deliberate. Like I was the only solid ground in a storm she’d started.

"Tomorrow," I continued, "we hold an undisclosed ceremony to secure the Grove’s future."

Her eyes brightened. "There’s a grotto. Hidden. The Shadow Druids used it to plan—shielded by rock and root. No prying eyes."

I smiled. "Perfect."

She really is a born schemer. And now she’s scheming for me.

"I will recall the guards" she said with a flicker of giddiness. "They’ll stop the eviction. I’ll handle it."

She swept out, her cloak trailing blood like a stage curtain.

The silence that followed was heavy, settling around us like dust.

Lae’zel spoke first. "A strong tactical decision." She wiped the blood from her paladin sword before sheathing it. "Kagha fights with precision. Her blades and will are sharp."

[Lae'zel Approval +3]

Shadowheart crossed her arms, her face calm but her tone edged. "That voice you used. That wasn’t just you, was it?"

"Well, let’s just say... my patron had an opinion on the matter." I replied lightly.

Her brow arched. "Did you do... that thing... on Lae’zel too? Is that why she’s suddenly so...tamed?"

Lae’zel flew into a fury. "How dare you imply he used trickery on me! He bested me in battle. I submitted in strength."

"Or.. your meager intellect simply couldn’t keep up." Shadowheart replied smoothly

Lae’zel lunged.

"Enough!" I barked, grabbing her around the waist as she snarled, her curvy body deceptively strong.

Karlach stepped in, catching Lae’zel’s sword arm with the chin of her axe. "Whoa there! Let’s not redecorate the sanctum with more guts, yeah?"

Lae’zel fought against us for a few seconds, rage twisting her features. My grip tightened, and Karlach anchored her with solid weight until the gith’s breathing slowed.

"It was just a question," Shadowheart said with mock innocense.

We eased Lae’zel back, Karlach brushing the dust from her armor and muttering, "She’s not worth it." I stayed close, one hand still on Lae’zel’s shoulder in case she decided to prove otherwise.

Then Karlach grinned at me. "But that voice—damn. Never heard you like that before. You should try it next time we’re alone. Could make a girl do anything."

[Karlach: Corruption +2]

The tension cracked, replaced by the **** humor. Still, I noticed the way Shadowheart’s gaze lingered on me, her jaw set—not entirely suspicion. She eyed Lae’zel’s proximity and newfound devotion with challenge.

I really need to get those two to work together. Before any of their punches actually connect.

We gathered our things and stepped out of the sanctum together in uneasy silence.